Manchester United striker Romelu Lukaku will be forced to sit out for at least a week after suffering an injury.
Manchester United’s forward Romelu Lukaku could miss the key clashes against Watford and Wolverhampton in the Premier League as the club prepare to chase the top four spot. The Belgian picked up an injury when he was in action against Paris Saint Germain.
The foot injury aggravated against Arsenal which withdrew him from the FA Cup clash against Wolverhampton Wanderers and that game ended in a defeat to the Red Devils, thereby facing elimination from the competition. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s attacking plans were hindered and the Norwegian was forced to play with half-fit Jesse Lingard, and Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford, who struggled to link with other teammates against Nuno Santo’s side.
Belgium manager insisted Lukaku to fly out for national duties, but the striker was in total discomfort. The Belgian International was due to feature against Cyprus and Russia in the UEFA Euro Qualifiers, but he was withdrawn from the squad after MRI confirmed that he would not be fit for at least two weeks.
The reliable Manchester Evening News confirmed that Jesse Lingard was forced to travel back to Manchester because there would have been a ‘huge risk’ involved had the attacker featured for his nation. Learning his fitness, Gareth Southgate asked him to take the rehabilitation at the club.
The Red Devils could be without four attackers for the clash against Watford, with Alexis Sanchez ruled out until next month and Juan Mata, Anthony Martial, and Marcus Rashford were not seen with their national teams which has sent shockwaves to Manchester United fans.
Nineteen out of 25 players did not participate for their nations in spring internationals, as only Paul Pogba, Scott McTominay, David De Gea, Antonio Valencia, and Eric Bailly featured for senior sides, whilst Diogo Dalot represented Portugal Under20s. Victor Lindelof, Nemanja Matic, and Luka Shaw were the other players to get withdrawn from representing their nation in this International break.
Valencia played for the first time in over two months for Ecuador in their friendly with the United States in Orlando last week but could be discounted for selection this weekend by Solskjaer, who has only played the 33-year-old once. The underperforming Valencia will also be released by United upon his contract’s expiration on June 30.
Phil Jones returned from a month-long illness to make the bench against Wolves, Matteo Darmian is fit and Ashley Young is available again after serving a one-match suspension for the FA Cup match.
Despite a couple of defeats against Wolverhampton Wanderers and Arsenal, Manchester United board have decided to hand over a permanent deal for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. The 46-year-old has done a fantastic job for the club by registering 14 wins from possible 19 games, including one dramatic victory over Paris Saint Germain at Parc Des Princes to help his side progress to the Quarterfinals of the Champions League.
The likes of Paul Pogba and Victor Lindelof have stated that the whole side would like to see Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as the new permanent manager.
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What’s next?
The Red Devils are currently two points adrift of fourth-placed Arsenal in the Premier League table. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men will take on Watford at Old Trafford on Saturday and that game will be followed by the clash against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molenuix as the club prepare to take revenge for the FA Cup defeat and challenge for a Champions League spot. The Red Devils will face Barcelona in the Champions League Quarterfinals. The first leg will take place at Old Trafford on April 10, whilst the second leg will be played at Nou Camp six days later.
